The 28-year-old Croatian international has been out of favour at Camp Nou, although after recently being excluded from the Barça squad recently, has since made 10 minute and 28 minute appearances as a substitute against Athletic Club and Las Palmas respectively, a sign that Luis Enrique’s issues with him are likely to be more tactical than personal.

And in an article co-written by the well-known Kike Marín and Alonso Castilla, El Confidencial becomes the latest source to claim Rakitić could be on his way to join Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. The article claims that while he was ‘untouchable’ last season, Rakitić’s standing in Barcelona’s squad has fallen, and a move to Manchester City ‘appears on the horizon’.

The story is based around Barça’s need to raise revenues for Lionel Messi’s latest big money contract, with Rakitić (to City) and Arda Turan (to China) the two who could be sacrificed to keep the great Messi happy and away from the clutches of City and other wealthy European clubs.

After today’s horror show against Everton, many City fans might prefer some defenders to be brought in, but it goes without saying that Rakitić would, on paper at least, be an upgrade on many of the midfield options City currently boast. He would also fill the void left by Ilkay Gündogan, who will play no further part this season after tearing his his cruciate knee ligament.